all ages estates even a Bamba * These foresooke their lawfull vocation and resigned their power to the Beast Apo. 17.17 King of Spaine Hugo King of Province Rachis King of Lombardie Sigismundus King of Burgundie Veremundus King of Castile Ranimirus King of Aragon Ethelred and Keneredus Kings of Mercia Sigebert Alfred Ceolulphus Egbert Kings of Northumberland Sebba Offa and Jna Kings of England Henrie the fourth King of Denmarke Carlomannus King of Almaine Trebellius King of Bulgarie Cazimirus King of Poland and others Kings b Radegund Queene of Fraunce Margares Queen of Frace-Briget Queen of Sueden Etheldreda Queene of Northumber Sexbiâ—ga Ethelburga Q Q of West-saxons others Queenes c Lotharius Earle of Romans others Emperours d Richardix wife of Carolus Crassus Emperour Chune gundie wife of Henrie Emperour and others Emperesses l They meane plainely to become Moonkes Nunnes a true effect of Popish superstition and the broade way to Hell to relinqunish the worlde renounce the pleasures delights thereof and devote and binde themselues to a poore chast and obedient life vnder the commaund direction of others Of which m These be the swarmes of Locustes that came out of the smoke of the bottomlesse pit Apoc. 9. religious companies some eate nost she but in time of sickenes only or other necessity and observe both silence and solitarines as do the Benedictines some never eate fleshe at all weare alwaies shirts of haire goe not forth of their Cloysters nor speake to their fellowes but with leaue as do the Carthusians some neither eate flesh egs nor whitmeates fast three parts of the yeere as do the Bonhomes Some n Holy Hypocrites discipline themselues sundrie times in the weeke or daily goe barefoote touch no money haue nothing in proper or in common and beg their food from dâ—re to dore as do the Capucines some attend the sicke in all diseases assist them with ghostly counsell provide them Sacraments burie their deade bodies as do certaine fraternities some clense vlcers and festered soares nor refuse any office how base loathsome soever about impoteÌ„t criples lazars as do the NuÌ„nes of S. Elizabeths order And al these with other divers orders that after another maÌ„ner labor to mortifie theÌ„selues do good to others lie vpon no other beds but of straw rise at midnight sleepe little spend much time in praier meditation Which are no conditions of life that either a Rom. 13.14 make provision for the flesh in concupiscences or b Galat. 5.16 do seeke to accomplish the desires or c Tisus 3.3 serue the voluptuousnes thereof sinnes which the Apostle forbiddeth but rather formes [o] Will-worship condemned Col. 2 23. of life that d Galat. 5 24. crucifie the flesh with her vices and concupiscences do e Galat. 2.19 naile them to the Crosse with Christ render both f Galat. 6.14 the world crucifide to those that so liue and them to the world Vertues which by the testimonie of the Apostle g Galat. 5.24 make their dooers the servants of Christ and h Galat. 2.20 to liue now not they but Christ in them Effects of no false Religion Resolution of the 29. Reason Popish Religion beginning at Hierusalens increased and spread is selfe into all nations Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 AS the Divell the easier to deceiue beeing transformed into an Angell of light arrogateth vnto himselfe those things which belong vnto GOD Even so doeth his Church that great whore which siâ—teth vpon the scarlet coloured beast with a cup of gold in her hand ful of abominations and filthines of her fornication that deceaveth the Kings and the inhabitants of the earth challenge vnto her selfe the titles and rights of Christs true Church whereas in deed shee is great Babylon that mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Apoc. 17.4.5 2 Popish Religion did not beginne at Hierusalem but at Rome that great citty vpon seaven hils where Antichrist wrought the mysterie of iniquity 3 The Prophecies concerning Christs Church how that some of all nations people tribes and tongues should flocke vnto her do not belong vnto the Popish Church for none shall flocke vnto her but such whose names are not written in the booke of life Apoc. 17.8 4 It was not vnto Popery that the Nations were coÌ„verted but vnto the true Christian religion wherewith Popery hath no communion II. To the Consequence 1 IF Popishe religion had begunne at Hierusalem yet were it not true Religion because it lost the sinceritie of doctrine which was professed and taught at Hierusalem 2 If Popery were so ample as the SuppliaÌ„ts make their brags it were not therefore true for never was Popery of so many nations so vniversally received as gentilisme was 3 Seeing the Whore of Babylon should sitte vpon manie waters that is rule over many people and cause the Kings and nations of the earth to be drunke with the wine of her fornication as it is Apoc. 17. who seeth not that even Antichristian Papistrie may be countenanced with great shew of vniversalitâ—e 4 For our partes wee had rather enter into the Arke with eight persons Genes 7. so to be saved then to refuse so to doe with all the world besides and so to be drowned We had rather she out of Sodom with two or three Genes 19. then with all the rest to stay there and to be destroied with fire and brimstone Wee had rather enter in at the straight gate to life everlasting though fewe goe that way Luk 13. then with the Papists walke the broad way which leadeth to destruction Reason of Religion 30 30. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion from a Such as depart from popery are happy blessed Apec 18.4 which Countries either departing or mingling other doctrines with it made present wracke of their former felicities falling either into flatte Apostacie or most lamentable bondage or both The instances are b All these nations were punished for departing from the sincerity of Christian religion not of Poperie The i Theodoretiâ—â— lib. 4 cap. 32. Sozomen lib 6. cap. 37. Goths while they remained Catholike flourished enlarged their territories but becomming Arians were shortly expelled thence by the Hunnes theÌ„ Infidels The like and by like occasion befell the k Jornandes de rebus gest Dacians Mysians and Pannonians by invasioÌ„ of the Hunnes Gepides Rugians The l Ex Aenea Silvio in Eur. cap 16.17 Anâ—o Sabel Enne 10 lib. 6â— ex Chronicis eaâ—uÌ„dem NationuÌ„s asijsque Historijs Dalmatians Gauls Britannes Spaniards the Africans by superinducing or mixing one the heresie of Manichaeus another the heresie of VigisaÌ„tius the third the heresie of Pelagius the fourth the heresie of Priscillian the last the heresie of Donatus with the Catholike religion were conquered and supplanted the Dalmatians
6. with other Kinges of Spaine Stephanus Ladislaus Kinges of Hungary Miscelslaus Boleslaus Casimirus Sanctus and Casimirus Magnus Kinges of Polonia and many moe Kinges of other Nations presented their giftes (d) As Iustinus Emperour the person of Pope Iohn Iustinianus of Pope Constantine King Pipin the person of Pope Stephen the second Carolus oâ— Pope Leo the third Ludovicus of Sergius the second and of Pope Nicolas Henry the fourth of Pope Paschal the second and others reverenced her Preâ—ates (e) As Philippus Arabs Emperour the Censure of Pope Fabian Euseb lib. 6. cap. 27 histor eccl the Emperour Theodosiuâ— the excommunication of S Ambr. Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 17. hist eccle Sezom lib. 7. cap. 24. the Emperour Otho the third the inioyning penance of Romualdus Abbat Petr. Dam. in vita Romual To which may be added the devout readines of Henrie the second to accept and fulfill the sentence of Pope Alexanders Legates touching the death and murdering of Saint Thomas of Canterburie Neubrigens lib. 2. cap. 25. obeyed their censures yea and hath at this present many of the greatest Monarchs and potentates on earth to her Professours patrons and foster-fathers So as of the Romane Religion b A notorious vntruth onely these ensuing passages propheticall praedictions of holy Scripture must of force take their verification or remaine as yet beeing the latter yeeres or evening of the Church vnfulfilled c Manifest racking and perverting of the Scriptures in wrong application The Gentiles shall feare thy name O Lord and all the Kinges of the earth thy glory Psal 101.16 Againe All Kings of the earth shall adore him all Nations shall serve him Psal 71.11 And in another Prophet Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy Nurses Esa 49.93 And againe Gentiles shall walke in thy light and Kinges in the brightnesse of thy vprising Esa 62.3 Places which to our iudgment most evidently convince that not only some Kinges of the earth shall professe and cherish true religion but that the greater number of all Christian Kinges shall embrace and advance the d They coÌ„clude against themselves for it is wel known that Popery is not true religion same Now it is most certaine as cleere as noone day by all Antiquities Proofes and Chronicles of the world that there was never Emperour nor till this age any one King vnder heaven that entertained or e All those first Christian Emperours and Kinges which the Suppliants speake of and many others also in the midst of the Papacie professed true Christian religion which wee professe professed Protestant religion Resolution of the 9. Reason Popish religion is that to which the famousest Emperours and Kinges of the vvorld have bowed their Crownes presented their giftes reverenced her Prelats obeyed their Censures Ergo. Papistrie is true religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THE best the ancientest and the famousest of all these Emperours and Kinges mencioned by the Suppliants lived and died longe before the originall of Poperie 2 Many of them also impugned the Pope and Papacie and held those very pointes in religion which the Protestants maintaine II To the Consequence 1 If all these Emperours and Kings had bin Papists indeede yet were not Popery any thing the better for that because it is written in the Apocalypse that the Kings of the earth should committe fornication with the great Whore of Babylon Apoc. 17.2 2 HeatheÌ„ Pagans have had very many famous Emperours and Kings who bowed their Crownes vnto theÌ„ presented their gifts reverenced their Priestes obeyed their Censures Is Paganisme therefore true religion 3 The Protestants also haue had such and haue many at this day God be thanked will the Papistes from hence acknowledge their religion true also 4 Are not the Papistes in miserable distresse for want of argumeÌ„ts who can say nothing for their Religion but what Pagans Turkes Atheistes may alledge for theirs Reason of Religion 10 10. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion that from the first floure of her infancie ever had and still hath to her beleeueres infinite multitudes of either sexe a This prof sufficiently declareth that their Religion is not Apostolicall professing Poverty Chastity and Obedience the three (a) Mat. 19.21 Mark 19.12 1. Cor. 7.25 Matth. 16 24. chiefe Evangelicall b False counselles c False againe those places of Scripture doe not proue it obserued of the (b) Mat. 19.27 August de Civit lib. 17. ca. 4. Hieron li. 1. coÌ„tra Jovinia Apostles practised by those (c) Saint Anthony Hilarion Benedict Francis Dominike Bernard and thousands moe who were counted of greatest holynes most highly commended by d A lying Hyperbole all (d) Hieron epistola prima ad Heliod cap. 6. item in cap. 19. Matth. ad Demetria de servanda virginitat epist 8. ca. 7. Quaest ad Hedib epist 150. ad Pammachum super obitu Paulinae epist 26. cap. 3. 4 Basil quaest 9. in regulis fusius disputat Damascen in histor Barlaam Josaph c. 15. Chrys in illud Pauli Salutate Priscam Aquilam Antiquity not only as divine helps to perfectioÌ„ but also as beautifull ornameÌ„ts in Christs Church raising the professors to supreame degree of grace and glory ¶ 4 The Supplyants haue mustered the bare names of the ancient Fathers very provideÌ„tly leaving their Readers to the examining of their quotatioÌ„s amongst whom not one of a huÌ„dred they knew either for lacke of skill or will leasure or books could would turne to the places in the auctors theÌ„selues They thought belike their credit to be such that every man must needs beleve that they cite them truely faithfully that because they haue so roundly hudled them vp togither that therefore out of all question they spake wrote fully for them But what small â—ause there is either for the Suppliantâ— to looke to be thus trusted or for any to yeeld theÌ„ such credit herein appeareth manifestly in the citation of their wordes which quite makes against Popish religioÌ„ and Monkish profession Of Poverâ—ie ¶ Of Chastitie Hieron in cap. 9. Matth. lib. 1. advers Jovin cap. 7. Basil de virginitat Epiphan haresi 58 contra Valesios Aug. de virginitat cap 14 24 sequentibus Greg. in tertia parte Curae pastora adwonit 29. Ambros Theodoretus in 1. Cor. 7. Amb. in epist 83. ad Siricium Papam 82. ad Vercellenser in tribus libris de Virginib alibi Damasc lib. 4 orthodoxae fid ca. 25. Athanasius Basilius Nazianzenus de Virgint Fulgent epist. 3. ad Probam cap. 9. 10. Jgnatius ad Philadelph Cipri de bono Pudicit Jsodor li. 2. de sum bono cap. 40. Cassian coll 12. ca. 4 7. ¶ Of Obedience Aug. lib. 14 de Civit. ca. 12. Hieron epist 8. ad Demetriad ca. 10. Greg l. 35 moral ca. 12 in 1. Reg. li 2. ca.
false Reason of Religion 29 29. REASON OF RELIGION A ReligioÌ„ which a Act 2 beginning at [a] Popery be gan at Rome not at Rome not at Hierusalem lerusalem hath as a river through the length of her course ever more and more increased spreade it selfe as it was prophesied that the [b] But Popery hath no coÌ„munion with this Church of Christ should b Psal 2.8 I will giue thee saith God the Father to God the Sonne nations to thine inheritance which is his Church and the ends of the earth to thy possession c Esay 2 2. All nations hall run vnto her d Dan. 7.14 All people tribes and tongues shall serue him e Esay 60.10 The sonnes of strangers that is of the Gentiles shall build vp her wals and their Kings doe service vnto her Now that these and innumerable other like predictions and prophesies are only found true fulfilled in [c] Not those predictions but these rather Shee hath made al nations drunken c. our Catholicke Roman Church Religion both the severall coÌ„versions of nations vnto her the infinit multitude dispersed every-where of her beleeuers do as nothing can more clearely testifie And how greatly it spred it selfe even when [d] True Christian ReligioÌ„ not Poperie it first put forth after the death of our Saviour it appeares by the severall people and nations to whom S. Paul directed particular Epistles namely the Romans Corinthians Galathians Ephesians Philippians Colessians Thessalonians Hebrâ—wes by mission of the Apostles into all quarters of the world to preach the same by S. Peter writing to the Iewes dispersed in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia by the contents of the 2. and 4. Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles where the conversion of 8000. is specified through two Sermons preached by S. Peter Likewise what ample most mervailous increase it tooke afterward in the second age a Jn dialago câ—â— Tryph. Justinus Philosophus b Lib 1. cap. 3. Jreneus c Jn Apolog ca. 37 advers Iudaeos c. 7 8 Tertullian do witnesse And so doth d De vit Philosop in Aedes Eunapius Sardianus a prophane writer and enemy of Christian Religion e Vit. Constantini lib. 3. ca. 24 seq c. vit Eusebius f Lib. 1. cap. 12. Socrates with others for the thirde age And touching the succeeding Centuries to the end it may appeare how [e] False our Catholike religioÌ„ did in every age spread dilate it selfe according to the former prophecies we will recite a few of many Nations that were converted in every CouÌ„trey to the same In the fourth age were converted the [f] These were converted to S. Paulinus epist Bessites Dacians Getes and Seythians by g S. Pausinus de reditu Nicetae in Dac S. Nicetas Bishop of Dacia to the Catholick Roman faith The Morins Nervians by h 26. Victricius Bishop of Roan And within the compasse of this century l Epist 3. S. Hierome also writeth that other Nations were coÌ„verted as the Armenians Huns adding k Idem epist 7. that troops of Monks came dayly from India Persia and Aethiopia vnto him Christianitie not to Popery In the fifth age the Saracens by l Cyrillus in vita S. Euthy mij apud Metaphrasten die 20 Ianu. S. Euthymius Monke and Aspebetus The m Socrates li. 7. cap. 30. Burgundians vpon this motiue of seeing Gods especiall and most singular favours and protection towards the Roman Christian Monarchie in times of distresse The a Prosper adversus collatorem in fine Scots by Palladius sent b A.D. 429. by Pope Caelestine the FreÌ„ch c Greg. Turon de gestis Franc. lib. 2. cap. 31. by S. Remigius Bishop of Reims and d Albin Flac. circiter A.D. 499. S. Vedastus Bishop of Arras In the sixth age the e A. D. 565. Northerne Picts by f Beda de gest Angl lib. 3. ca. 4 S. Columbus Abbot The g A. D. 589. Goths by h Greg. Turonen Hist. Fran. lib. 8. ca. 41. Leander Bishop of Sevil. The i A. D. 590. Bavarians by k A D. 594. Rupertus Bishop of Worms The l Greg. epist li. 3. c. 29. 27. Barbaricinians by m A. D. 596. Foelix Bishop and Cyriacus Abbot The n Beda de gest Angl lib. 1 cap 23. English by S. Augustine a Benedictine Monke sent by Pope Gregory the Great In the 7. age the Flemings by o Iaco. Mayer in Chron. Flandriae 649. Eligius the Westphalians by the p Fasciculus temporum two Evaldes after honored with the crowne of martyrdome multitudes of Spanyards by q Volaterranus li. 21 VinceÌ„tius lib. 23. cap. 92. S. Andonius chiefly through the miracle he wrought in calling store of raine from heauen by his prayers when in seaueÌ„ years before there had fallen none in that place The people of Franconia by r Sigibertus in Chronico 688. Chilianus sent by Pope Cuno and the Frisians by Å¿ Trithemius de Regib Francorum 696. S. Willibrode an English man imployed in that holy worke by Pipin King of France and Pope Sergius the first In the eight age the t Hedio lib. 6. cap. 17. Hassites u Chronic. Isanacense Thuringians x Mutius lib 7. Hartmannus Schedelin Chro. aetate 6. Erphordians and y Willibaldus in vita Bonifacij 722. Cattians by S Boniface an English Monke the Lumbards by Sebaldus z Hartmannus vhi supra sent by Pope Gregorie the second The Iewes of the Citie of Berythum 〈◊〉 by the bleeding of a Crucifix which the said Iewes had coÌ„tumeliously stabbed and the blood wherof cured all diseases The two Saxon Dukes Crantzius in metrop lib. 1. ca 9 Magde cent 8. tit de Propagat 785. Witekindus 01 and Albion by a miraculous sight which Witekindus sawe whilst he was but in a new and doubtfull disposition of becomming Christian to wit a fâ—ire childe descending froÌ„ the Priests hands into the mouthes of the receiuers when celebrating Masse hee delivered the sacrament of the Altar to Communicants Witekindus Crantzius in metrop lib. 1. ca 9 Magde cent 8. tit de Propagat 785. saw this vision at Wolmerstadium on the feast of Easter when the Campe of Carolus magnus lay there In the ninth age the a Adamus lib 1. ca. 16. 17 Crantzius in metrop lib 1. cap 19.826 Danes and Suethens by S. Ausgratius Monk the b Biondus Fla. Dec 2 l. 2 840. Bulgarians by S. Joannicius the c Helmoidus li. 1. cap. 6. lib. 2 cap. 12. in hist Sclau Cedrenus 875. Rugians by the Monkes of Corbeia the d Theodomarus Fpiscopus Juvaniensis ad Ioannem Pontificem Moravians by Withungum the e Zonaras tom 3. Rhossits vpon the evidence of the mira cle ensâ—ing They demaunded of the Priest whom
Whereas his Maiesties constant profession of the Gospell of Iesus Christ from his cradle vnto this day manifestly demonstrateth vnto all the world that his royall hart is most sincerely religious and no colluder with Heretikes 2 The Papists themselues testifie that it is impossible for Protestants Papists to liue togither in the same civill society Fieri non potest ex institutis politicis vti tam disparis sententia cultores commodè cadem societato civils continaantur Weston lib. 3. Cap. 14. pag. 198. 3 And indeede vnto a man though but of meane vnderstanding knowledge in the estate present of the world it cannot but seeme impossible for the Protestant and the Papist to inhabite commerce togither considering the intestine and implacable hatered of the one against the other 4 It is not wisedome to prooue the Papists fidelity in a kingdome nor to make triall of their earnest zealous emulation in so rare a iewell as his Maiesties person is for al their flattering speeches but rather to keep à vigilant and iealous eie open over them night and daie that they may not be able how willing so ever they would bee to do any thing to the annoyance of his royall person and of this noble state and kingdome II. To the Consequence 1 It is a grosse errour in Theology to commit sinne against the Maiesty of GOD to gaine the greatest good that may be much more to gaine a little worldly honor or other publike or particular advantage 2 It is a grosse errour in policie for gaining of idle momentanie reputation to make choice of certaine mischiefe Reason of State 6 6. REASON OF STATE NEither would toleration of Catholike Religion blesse your Maiestie and all your severall Dominions with the happynes precedent only but the same would also invite all the Catholike Kings Rulers in Christendome being incomparably more in number and potencie han are the Protestant Puricane and Lutheran Potentates to seeke and continue a true and reall league both of peace a A thing vâ—â—â—â— vnlawful and condeâ—â—ed to the worde of God Râ—â—d the Answere amitie with your Highnesse the sourse and selfe life of princely felicitie and make your Maiesties choice of b â—â—â—â—ful also matches for your children farre more noble rich ample in regard 〈◊〉 Catholike Prince will refuse to entertaine yea to me for like treatie where toleration of his Religion is by Royall assent permitted Resolution of the 6. Reason Toleration of Popish Religion will â—â—â—ite all Papisticoll Kings Rulers in Christendome to seeke and 〈◊〉 a true and reall â—â—â—gue bâ—â—â—â—fâ—eace and â—â—â—ty with her Highnesse make his Maiestie choice of matches for 〈◊〉 children â—â—ble 〈◊〉 and ample Ergo Toleration is to be â—â—brâ—â—ed ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 FAithfull Christians may lawfully ioine with faithlesse Idolatrers and other Infidels in league and soâ—â—â—â— of Peace and Concord because by the generall calling of Christianity they are bound to haue peace with all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12.14 Rom. 12.18 2 As for the league or societie of Amitie that is of familiarity and special loue Christians may not ioine therin with Idolatours and Infidels Protestants may not contract league of mutuall ayde and protection with Papists I Because it makes Idolatours and Infidels boast that the people of GOD cannot stand without their aide II Because it is a farther occasion of Idolatrie III Because this league often infoldes the people of GOD in the same plagues and iudgments with Idolatours IV Because Iehoshaphat for making this kind of league with Achab was reproved 2. Chro. 19.2 Wouldst thou HELPE the wicked and LOVE them that hate the Lord Therefore for this thing the wrath of the Lord is vpon thee 3 GOD forbid that any Christian Prince professing the Gospel should match his royall Children with Idolators which the Scripture precisely condemneth I It is an abomination in Israell and a prophanation of the name of GOD when Iuda marrieth the daughter of a strange GOD. Malach. 2.11 II Such as do so prophane the covenant of GOD conteÌ„ne their Brethren pollute the Church of GOD which should be holy and vndefiled III The Lord will cut of the man that doth this both the Master the ServaÌ„t out of the tabernacle of Iacob Malach. 2.12 II. To the Consequence 1. His Maiestie hath peace already with all Christian Princes and Nations GOD be thanked without toleration of Papistry 2. If he had no peace already yet were it not lawfull for his Highnesse to procure it by sinning against GOD in licensing the exercise of Idolatrie 3 As for the league of Amity either in speciall love protection or in coÌ„tract of Marriage the same being vnlawfull in it selfe cannot any way inferre hatefull toleration of Popery Reason of State 7 7. REASON OF STATE IT is affirmed in holy Writte that Mercy Truth preserve the King and his Throne vestablished by clemencie Prov. 20.28 Avowances which before they were written the great Monarch Artaxerxes well observed and trusted vnto For ruling over many nations and hauing subdued the whole earth vnto his domin on concluded neverthelesse with himselfe as it is read in the booke of Esther To governe his subiects with clemencie and lenity Cap. 13. v. 2. And the reason is plaine for that the loue of the subiectes soonest and most woone by these vertues is the strongest Castel in the world an army if any other most puissant and a bulwarke inexpugnable And as nothing can sitte so neere a Christian mans soule as the religion hee beleeveth so vndoubtedly no mercie no clemency no lenity of what nature or in what matter soever can relish so sweete so lastingly gratefull so forcibly binding ravishing as it were conturing the harts of subiects as doth the mercy benignity which is shewed in licensing a A plaine incoÌ„sequence which no waies followeth out of the premises freedome of conscience the exercise of their religion So that by permission of Catholike religion a religion that of all other kinds oâ—religion hath b A manifest vntruth most and worthiest Professours in other Kingdomes that next border vpon your Highnesse and neither the c Another vntruth least nor meanest sort of subiects within your owne realme your Maiestie may make millions in and without your territories so entirely and affectionately d These meÌ„professe they will woi be de voted vnto his Maiestie without toleration devoted to your person crowne and posterity as no attempt no danger no tumult can arise wherein your sacred Maiestie shall not finde e They speake by contraries present and securest harbour Resolution of the 7. Reason Mercy clemency benignity which is shewed in licensing freedome of conscience and the exercise of religion soonest and most of all winneth the loue of the subiect wherein his Maiestie shall finde present and securest harbour against all attemptes dangers and tumults Ergo. The free exercise of Popish religion
their sinnes our religion abhorreth detesteth as a prophanation of the whole Gospell especially of the satisfaction of Christ 5 Prescript fasting daies set times of abstinence the Papistes borrowed of Montanus the Heretike as we haue declared before But a religious fast that is when a man wanting some blessing or seeing some eminent calamity abstaineth not from flesh for a season but also from al delights sustenance that therby he may make a more diligent search into his owne sinnes and offer most humble praiers vnto God c. our religioÌ„ teacheth we practise 6 Vowes made vnto GOD of things honest lawful possible our religion teacheth ought to be performed But Popish vowes of Pilgrimages of offring to Idols of perpetual single life of MoÌ„kerie our religion accoÌ„pteth not honest nor lawful but made vnto the Devill and exsecrable 7 One vniforme stint of faith coÌ„tained only in the holy Scriptures we teach but the coÌ„tradictions dissentioÌ„s of the Papists are innumerable as we have proved before 8 MortificatioÌ„ that is that part of sanctâ—ficatioÌ„ wherby the power of sinne is crucified in the faithfull Rom. 6.2.3.4 Galat. 5.24 we religiously teach But Popish externall maceratings we condemne II. To the Consequence The Argument is rather thus to be concluded Popish religioÌ„ teacheth auricular coÌ„fession to a Priest perverteth the doctrine of repentance restitution satisfaction fasting vowes the sufficiency of the Scriptures and mortification Ergo. Popish religion is the. Apostolicall religion of Antichrist Reason of Religion 21 21. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion for whose desence the Title of Defender of the Faith vvas first given to the Kings of our Nation the Title of Most Christian to the kings of France of Most Catholike to the kings of Spaine the still retaining of which Titles doth a I marvel how the Suppliants are not ashamed to deduce a consequeÌ„ce the falschood wherof is notoriously evident argue the allowance of her iurisdiction And there is b No one of the ancient Fathers did ever expound that place of the Popish Church no one of the ancient Fathers who doth not vnderstand these words of the Prophet to be only meant of this Church The NatioÌ„ and Kingdome that will not serue thee shall perish Esa 6.12 Resolution of the 21. Reason Popish Religion is that for whose defence the King of England was called Defender of the faith the K. of France Most Christian and the K. of Spaine Most Catholique Ergo Poperie is true Religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 WHat coherence is there between the AntecedeÌ„t and the Consequence When the Pope gaue vnto the King of England the title DefeÌ„der of the faith as Caiphas prophecied against him selfe so the Pope prophecied his own destructioÌ„ For even that King which hee so first called King Henry VIII of famous memory was the first King in all Europe that cut his combe Defended the faith indeed which all his noble Successours haue with singular constancy hitherto continued GOD bee praised excepting only Queene Marie whose raigne was but fiue yeares Reason of Religion 22 22. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion into whose society and profession whosoeuer truely entreth by and by liveth in a Stil they speak by contraries as appeareth in the Answere more awe of God and feare of sinne changeth his former life to the better and of the other side whosoever leavâ—th ouâ— and departeth from heâ— fellowshâ—p communion beginneth incontment to lead a worse liâ—e then whiles he liued her childe frequented her Sacraments Of both which there be store of examples and of the latter too many verifying what is said and not vnknowne to thousands yea the case is so fain liar as it is now growne into a Proverb with many b A new coyned Proverb which is to be vnderstood contrarywise That the Protestant Religion is good to liue in but the Papist religion good to die in Resolution of the 22. Reason Popish Religion is that into whose profession whosoever truely entereth by and by liveth in more awe of God and feare of sinne and changeth his former life to better Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THe Antecedent is most false For Popish Religion is the Policie of Satan yea the very chaines and fetters of the Divell to detaine men as slaues in the misery thraledome of sinne And that the Christian Reader may know that I do not vse any hyperbolicall speeches herein I beseech him in the bowels of our Saviour IESVS CHRIST seriously to waygh these things that follow 2 What could be fitter for Satan for the continuance and enlargement of his Kingdome then the Popish doctrin of the Popes supremacie over al of his fulnesse of power of receiving both the Scriptures and their exposition from him of obeying that he coÌ„manded of not iudging him though hee carryed ten thousand yea innumerable Soules togither with him selfe into HEL Dist 40. c. 6. Si Papa of devout ignorance of iudging them heretiks who speake against him of pursuing and persecuting them with fire sword of purgatory of auriculer confession of the immunities exemptioÌ„ and priviledges of his Cleargy of the pompe and idlenes of his hierarchie and of all their suttle and serpent-like contrived false worship 3 The practises of Egypt toyling Israel with al base service and villanie of killing their male childreÌ„ or of the barbarous tyranny of wasting the west Indies was not nor is not more suttly divellishly devised to detaine those free nations in perpetual bondage slavery then the Popish doctrine was is to establish the kingdome of Antichrist and to detaine the people of God in everlasting servitude and slauerie both of body and soule 4 And as for Christian honestie of life duties towards men the Popish doctrine of Absolutions of Dispensations of Pardons of Satisfactions of Sanctuaries is for the impunity easie discharge of all malefactors a maine cause and mother of al abominations and wickednesse 5 Furthermore their sundrie rules orders of hypocrisy contention idlenes their constrained abstinence from marriage their permissioÌ„ defence of the Stewes are causes of all enormities of vncleanes of infinite murders other manifold offences So that the waters of Noahs floud did not so high drowne all the olde world as those flouds of wickednes which by such occasions have risen did and do still overflow al such kingdomes nations as this doctrine of theirs like a sea of sinne might breake into 6 Hence it appeareth evideÌ„tly Note that if a man were assured of the salvation of his soule in Popery ther is NO Religion BETTER to live in For There is NO religion vnder heaven which coÌ„taineth greater licenciousnes in it nor giveth more liberty vnto the flesh then doth POPISH RELIGION Reason of Religion 23 23. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion which now hath and had in al ages the most famous meÌ„ for a
from that went before or followeth after must ballance beare more sway and credit for m Although the Fathers in their writings do approve our religion Yet it is not therefore that we coÌ„deÌ„ne the Papists because their religion differeth froÌ„ the writings of the Fathers but because it is contrary vnto the Scriptures condemning vs of errâ—r then the writers liues selfe deedes their practise profession other their workes or never so many apparant testimonies of theirs to the contrary for the truth of our religion Resolution of the 26. Reason Popish Religion is that of which the foure acknowledged Doctours of holy Church S. Ambrose S. Hiereme Augustine S. Gregorie were both professours and stout defenders Ergo Poperie is true Religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 IF the Papists acknowledge but fowre Doctours of the Church then what thinke they of the rest of the Fathers both Greeke and Latine of the Primitiue Church whereof many were ancienter then these fowre which they acknowledge Doe not they deserue to bee tearmed Doctours of the Church 2 These fowre Doctours which they acknowledge were not Popish Massing Priests as the Suppliants impudentlie conclude vpon the bare mustering of their names 3 I cannot stand here to examine their particuler allegations by one only a man may iudge of all the rest Augustin say the Suppliants wrote three books Delibere Arbitrie therfore he approved free will They might as wel haue concluded Augustine wrote a booke De Mendacio therefore he approved lyes Or Augustine wrote a booke De duabus Ammis therefore he approved two soules Whosoeuer shall reade Augustines books of Free-will shall presently see that Augustine directly wrote against the Popish Free-will which Sixtus Senensis a Papist acknowledgeth therfore reproveth Augustine for his doctrine concerning that point Sixt. Sen. in praefat lib. 5. Biblioth Heereby a man may see the Suppliants honestie in citing the Fathers 4 These fowre Doctors in the principall points of Popish Religion are against the Papists Hierom refuseth the book of Wisdome Ecclesiasticus Iudeth Tobias and the Machabies as Apocryphall in Prolog Galeat in lib. Reg. Praefat. in Esdr Nehem. And so doth Gregory the books of Machabies In Iob. lib. 19. cap. 17. Augustine saith Christ is our Mediatour according to both his natures Hom. de ovib cap. 12. de Consens Evang. lib. 1. cap. 35. Enchr. cap. 108. Ambrose saith that the reliques of concupiscence in the regenerate are sinnes as Augustine witnesseth Contra Iul. lib. 2. c. 5. this also is Augustines owne opinion Contra Iulian. Pelag. l. 5. c. 3. Tract 41. in Ioan. in Ps 118. Conc. 3. Hierome saith that the Saintes knowe not what is done in earthe In Epitaph Nepotian So saith Augustine also Lib. de cura pro mort c. 13. 16. in Psal 108. lib. de Spir. Anim. c. 29. They teach also that Saints must not be worshipped Aug. de ver relig cap 55. De civit Dei lib. 22. cap. 10. lib. 8. cap. 27. lib. Confess 10. cap. 42. lib. de morib Eccles c. 34. Augustine saith wee are iustified in Christ not in our selues Aug. de verb. Apost Serm. 6. De Spir. lit cap. 26. de fid et op cap. 14. epist 120. cap. 30. So also teacheth Hierome in 2. Cor 5. And Ambrose Epist 71. And Gregorie Moral lib. 9. cap. 14. lib. 21. cap. 15. lib. 5. cap. 7. et lib. 9. cap. 28. et in Ezech. Hom. 7. sub fin in Psal 1 paenit Ambrose saith that wee are iustified by faith ONLY in 1. Cor. 1. et in Rom. 4. So saith Augustine also Serm. 181. de Temp. et contra 2. Epist Pelag lib. 1. cap. 21. Gregorie calleth him Antichrist that calleth himselfe Oecumenicall Bishop or head of the Church lib. 6. epist ex registr c. 194. lib. 4. Ep. 36. et 39. et lib. 7. ep 69. I cannot stand vpon particulars and therefore questionlesse no idolatours no Massing-Priestes no merit-mongers no disciples of Antichrist no Papistes but true and faithful Christians whose doctrine and vertues the Protestants professe and practise II To the Consequence 1 IF these four Doctors had professed defeÌ„ded Popery yet were not Popery therfore true religioÌ„ because the Fathers were subiect vnto Errour yea erred oftentimes Tertullian was a Montanist embraced the errour of the Chiliastes Cyprian taught rebaptisation Hierome coÌ„demned second marriages Chrysostome was infected with Pelagianisme c. 2 It is the Word of GOD only not the profession of the Doctors of the Church that is the rule square of true religion Reason of Religion 27 27. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion of whose doctrine communion in Sacraments a Vntruth all the Saints in the Kalendar the b As the Gentiles had their tutelares Deos Penates so haue the Papistes theirs also patrons of Churches countries coÌ„verters of Nations to Christianity all personages of either sexe memorable for holines for renouncing the world for mortifying their appetites for surrendring their wills or for any other excellent true vertue were so lived and died as the authenticall legends of their liues and other ecclesiastical writings do testifie and beare apparent record to the whole world Resolution of the 27. Reason Popish religion is that which all the Saintes in the Kalendar all personages memotable for holines professed Ergo. Popery is true Religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 IT is false that all such as are named in the Kalendar professed Poperie 2 If they did so yet were that no sufficient argument to prove the truenesse of Popishe religioÌ„ for the reasons before specified Reason of Religion 28 28. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion not destitute of any kind of proofe but her positions coÌ„firmable by a Prove this take all Scriptures by Apostolicall institutious by Councels occumenicall provinciall by Fathers Doctors reasoÌ„s histories chronologies prophesies visions revelations miracles traditions by all these other like heads we say confirmable without wrest straine or flying to tropes or figuratiue speeches So that these words in the Canticles seeme only verified of b Nothing lesse Cantic 4. v. 4. our church religion Thy necke that is the puissant of Christes Church is as the towre of David vvhich is built with bulwarkes a thousand shielde s hange on it all the armour of the strong Resolution of the 28. Reason Popish religion is confirmed by Scriptures Aposto licall Institutions by Counceis Fathers Doctors reasons histories chronologies prophesies visions revelations meracles traditions Ergo. Poperie is true religion and consequently to bee tolerated ANSWERE 1 THe Antecedent is a ridiculous begging of the question 2 If the Suppliants wil prove but the first particle therof to wit that Popish religion is confirmed by the Scriptures we wil grant thern the whole argument though otherwise also it be very
their Emperour Basilius Macedo sent vnto theÌ„ to teach them the Christian Catholike faith by what powerfull and divine signe he would witnesse the truth of his doctrine The signe was that if the booke wherin the said doctrine was written should not burne being cast into the fire then they al with one accord would presently beleeue and receiue his doctrine A great fire was made the Priest putting the book which was the holy Bible into the midst therof said with a lowd voice Glorifica nomen tuum Christe Deus Christ our God glorifie thy holy name The flames gaue place to the booke and the booke lay so long in the fire as the people themselues thought meete and when it was taken out it appeared sound whole no one leafe either scorched or blemished In the tenth age the Polonians by l Cromerus alij de reb PolonoruÌ„ 965. Aegidius Tuseulanus f Adamus l 2. c 78.10.11 Ditmarus chron lib. 2.971 and others sent by Pope John the 13. The Selavonians by g A.D. 989 h Cartuitias in vita Steph. Hungar. reg c. 1.2 3. Aeneas Sylvius Hist Bohem. cap l 16. S. Adelbert and the Hungarians by i Aenâ—as Sylvius another Adelbert surnamed their Apostle In the eleventh age the k A. D. 1106. Bozius lib 4 cap. 5. Vindians and multitudes of Prussians be side the reclaiming of the lapsed l Circiter A D. 1150. Ranulph l. 4 c. 22 Hungarians In the twelfth age the Pomeranians the Norvegians by Nicholas an English Moncke employed in that holy worke by Pope Eugenius the third The which Nicholas was afterward chosen Pope of Rome and named Hadrian the south and gaue the dominion of Ireland to King Henâ—â— 2 wiâ—h coâ—drioÌ„ of propagating the Christian faith there Stowin anno 7. Henrici 2. of preserving the rights of the Church entire and inviolated and of paying a yeerely pension of a penny for every house in the Kingdome In the 13. age the a Anno Dom. 12 5. Liâ—onians by b Cranâ—zius lib 7 cap. 13. 〈◊〉 Medardes the c Anno Dom. 1230. Lâ—tuanians by d Martinus Chromer lib. 8. the knightes of S. Marie the e Anno Dom. 1270. Sabellicus Guilielmus de Nangiaco Emperour Cassanes with it numerable Tarâ—arians In the fouretenth age f Anno Dom. 1300. Niceph. Gregor Histor lib. 4. Azatines Emperour of the Turkes the Isles of the Canaries the g An. Dom. 1344 Bâ—zius lib 4 cap. 5. revolted Lituanians the h Anno Dom 1346 Sebastianus Munsterus in Cosmograph Cumans the Bosnians the Lipnensians the Patrianians other Sclavonian nations by â—ope Clement the 6. and Leves king of Hungary In the sifteenth age the i Anno Dom 1350 Michael Rit lib. 2. Bonfin deca 2. lib. 10. Same getians the kingdomes of Bentonine Guinea Angola and k Anno Dom. 14â—2 Martin Chrom li 18. Congo In the sixteenth last age to speake ingenerall without descending to any particulars more provinces Nations and numbers of rich Kingdomes and Empires were brought to the knowledge of Christ embracing the Catholike Romane faâ—th by the labors of the g Iudas and other reprobates may preach the Gospel yea worke miracles in Christs name Mat. 7.22 Dominican and Franciscan Friers and the Fathers of the societâ—e of Iesus God attesting his cause truth by several miracles then all Christendome twice yea perhaps more then thrice told contained before which beside the record of all Cosmographies and Histories of this subiect may plainly be demonstrated in that before the last Centenarie or not many yeeres different the Christian Religion extended not it selfe beyond the river Ganges Eastward and the Isles of the Canaries in the West which scope and space is counted no more then of an hundred twenty degrees but the circuite of the world which is now sailed every or most where portes of Christians found therin is of three hundred and three score degrees whâ—ch is full out thrice as much The fewe precedents most renowned Prince collected out of many that might be added do very cleerely shew not only that the aboue rehearsed end other prophecies promises of God of dilating the place of his Tentes and of spreading out the curtaines of his Tabernacle Esa 54.2 that is the boundes of his Church Christs Spouse and tempora Kingdome are to the eâ—e fulfilled in the encreasing societies and continuance of h Begging of the question our religion but that also the Word of wisedome and the Word of knowledge graces given by the tâ—stâ—monies of saint Paule 1 Cor. 12 8. in the Church by the holy Ghost to the profit of others haue their residences in the l Proue that teacheâ—s of â—ur religion and â—hat in how eminent and most powerfull manâ—â—er the conversion of the former Nations beareth most apparant witnesse â—or there can be no doubt made but that some if not the most part of the foresaide Nations and sorts of people were of excellent dexterity and iudgment therefore very vnlike that they were ledde away especially from the religion and riâ—es they were bred borne in without store of solide substantiall reasons mouing them therevnto And it is as little questionable whether some of them were not also of a knotty vntractable or vntameable nature of a prowde obstinate and hawty disposition drowned in vncleanes and delighting in the varieties of liberty lets and strongest impeachments of embracing the discipline purenes austerity of our k Popish Antichristian superstition Christian Catholike religioÌ„ and the conquering of them a plaine demonstration that their Coverters all stout professours of the Romane religion taught that doctrine which the Prophet calleth a law converting soules and the Apostle the liuely and forcible word more piercing then anie two edged sword Ps 18.8 Heb. 4.12 Likewise that they fought not with the leather sheath the letter onely of Scripture but with the letter true sense which onely is the Sword of the spirit that reacheth vnto the division of the soule Eph. 6 17 Heb. 4 12. The bright Candel Luk. 11.37 that illuminateth those that sit in darknes Luk. 1.79 And the seede to which God promiseth to giveraine for the rich fructifying thereof Esa 30.23 And finally that they were also true imitators of the Apostles in doctrine and office as becomming Fishers of men Matth 4 16 Mark 1.17 drawing them out of the Sea of infidelity into the harbour of Christianity a badge or attribute giuen to the Apostles and verified in none but in Catholike teachers Neither did theÌ„ nor doth now the word of wisdome knowledge 1 Cor 12 8. a gift proper to Gods Church worke in our Catholike teachers vpon Infidels onely but the same extended and still extendeth his power divine â—fficacie to the bringing forth of as rare or more rare effectes vpon beleeving Christians namely in exciting men and women of